Ryan Burton is SVP, development, at Lendlease. He is currently spearheading the development of Habitat, a two-building mixed-use campus in Los Angeles’ Culver City submarket. Upon completion in early 2026, Habitat will feature a 253,000-square-foot creative office building and 260-unit multifamily building with first-floor retail, all connected by an integrated acre of open space. Burton will be among the development experts taking the stage for the “Build, Develop & Adaptive Reuse” panel at Connect Los Angeles 2025 on June 18. Here, he provides a preview of the discussion.
Q: In the past few years, we’ve heard that development projects have had to contend with rising costs for land and construction materials and labor shortages. Is the industry seeing any relief this year?
A: Yes, we’re beginning to see some signs of relief in 2025. Inflation and construction costs have shown signs of improvement, helping to stabilize real estate markets.
Supply chain disruptions and material shortages—major concerns since the pandemic—have improved, giving developers more predictability and fewer delays. Many suppliers have diversified their networks, and lead times for key materials like steel, concrete, and HVAC equipment have shortened. Tariff-related cost increases have had a limited impact to date, while labor shortages, particularly in the skilled trades, remain a challenge.
Q: Have you noticed any shifts in what renters or office tenants are prioritizing post-pandemic?
A: Absolutely—we’ve seen a notable shift in what both renters and office tenants prioritize post-pandemic. People are more discerning, with preferences leaning heavily toward wellness, flexibility and sustainability.
Sustainability, in particular, has become a major priority. Tenants increasingly want to know their homes and workplaces are energy-efficient and environmentally responsible. That’s why our newest LA-based development, Habitat, features low-carbon materials, green roofs, high-efficiency systems and indoor-outdoor connectivity via expansive terraces. The office building is targeting LEED Platinum certification, while the residential component is aiming for LEED Gold. ESG considerations like these are not only driving tenant demand but also playing a growing role in investor decisions and asset valuation.
While location has always been important, the emphasis has evolved. Today’s renters and workers are drawn to walkable environments that support hybrid work and a car-light lifestyle. Habitat, for example, is steps from a bike path and is within a vibrant walkable neighborhood.
Amenities have also taken center stage. End users want more than just a place to live or work—they seek coworking areas, fitness centers, lounges and spaces that foster community and social interaction. To meet this demand, we integrate indoor and outdoor coworking spaces, wellness amenities, and activated public areas across our developments—including Habitat—helping to drive long-term tenant satisfaction and retention.
Access to nature is another top priority, as people increasingly seek environments that support their health and well-being. We incorporate design elements such as landscaped courtyards, walking paths and outdoor terraces throughout our projects. At Habitat, operable NanaWalls open entire office floors to large terraces, and 95% of the residential units include private balconies and terraces. These connections to nature promote wellness and enhance daily routines.
Q: What broader trends in office and residential demand influenced your decision to pursue a mixed-use development, and why do you believe this approach is well-suited to today’s real estate market?
A: We’re seeing demand for vibrant, walkable urban neighborhoods that seamlessly integrate a mix of uses. The rise of hybrid and remote work has fundamentally reshaped office demand—tenants now prioritize flexible, amenity-rich spaces situated in mixed-use environments where employees can easily access housing, retail and green space.
On the residential side, renters increasingly value lifestyle, convenience and community. They’re seeking homes that offer not only everyday essentials but also wellness amenities, coworking lounges and opportunities for social engagement—all within close proximity to work.
Ultimately, we believe mixed-use development is ideally suited to today’s market. It creates dynamic, resilient communities that can adapt to changing needs—whether driven by shifts in how people work, evolving lifestyle preferences or new environmental standards. By combining residential and office uses, we’re able to foster a true “live-work-play” environment that delivers lasting value for both residents and businesses.
Q: When does adaptive reuse represent a better solution than ground-up construction? Does it work for your projects?
A: Adaptive reuse can be a highly effective strategy under the right conditions—particularly when a building is located in a prime, transit-accessible area and supported by economic, environmental or historical incentives.
Financially, adaptive reuse can offer significant advantages by leveraging existing infrastructure, reducing material waste and unlocking tax credits or other incentives. These projects also tend to move faster, as foundational work and permitting are often less complex.
From an environmental standpoint, adaptive reuse is a sustainable solution that conserves embodied energy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with new construction. It may also preserve cultural and architectural heritage, which can add long-term value to a project.
However, adaptive reuse isn’t the right fit for every development. Structural constraints, outdated systems and programmatic limitations can pose significant design and operational challenges.
We typically have pursued ground-up construction because it allows for greater flexibility in site planning, building performance and overall design. At Habitat, we tailored layouts to modern occupant needs, incorporating high-efficiency systems and delivering future-proof buildings that meet evolving sustainability standards. While we fully recognize the value of adaptive reuse—especially in dense urban settings or areas with strong preservation goals—our current pipeline requires the customization and scalability best achieved through ground-up construction.
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